Mark Hamill, the once-boyish actor known around the world for playing Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars," will dance with Rue McClanahan in the rueful, New York aimed comedy, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, at Coconut Grove Playhouse in March.

Richard Alfieri's Six Dance Lessons (at the Miami theatre March 18-April 13) played successfully at the Geffen Playhouse in 2001 with 81-year-old Uta Hagen and David Hyde Pierce (of TV's "Frasier"), and was aimed at Broadway in 2002 before Hagen took ill.

"We still intend to come to New York," Hess told Playbill On-Line Jan. 8. He and his partners are aiming for either Broadway or Off-Broadway later in 2003, after the close of the 2002-03 season.

As previously announced, Kay Cole choreographs, and McClanahan plays a minister's wife seeking solace in a round of dance lessons given by a gay instructor. Here's how Coconut Grove bills the show: "Rue McClanahan stars as Lily Harrison, an elderly widow befriended by a younger male dance instructor. It is hate at first sight for the disparate duo who are each lonely and bitter for different reasons. As they bicker, dance and unfold their inner-most secrets, the two prickly personalities gradually wade into the best friendship of their lives in this touching and warm comedy."

McClanahan starred in TV's "The Golden Girls" and appeared in Roundabout Theatre Company's staging of The Women in 2001-2002. Hamill appeared on Broadway in Amadeus, Harrigan and Hart, The Nerd and The Elephant Man.